3 children drown to death in morrum quarry in Odisha’s Keonjhar

In a tragic incident, at least three children died after drowning in a morrum quarry near Padiaripalli area under Soso police station in Keonjhar on Tuesday.

The deceased have been identified as Lipsa Patra, Payal Patra,3-year-old each, and four-year-old Bharati Patra.

As per reports, the children were studying in a nearby Anganwadi centre. They went to the morrum quarry in the vicinity after attending the call of nature. However, they unfortunately slipped and drowned.

When they didn’t return, family members and local people carried out a frantic search and rescued the trio from the water body. They were immediately rushed to the nearby Agarpada Hospital. However, doctors declared them received dead.

A pal of gloom descended in the area following the tragic incident. Meanwhile, the crest-fallen family members said that the Anganwadi workers are responsible for their neglect for which the children lost their valuable lives. 

“I found all the children along with my little daughter floating on the water body. The children lost their valuable lives due to the negligence of the Anganwadi workers,” said Kodanda Patra, father of Payal Patra.

Meanwhile, Keonjhar Assistant Collector Lalit Kumar Sarin said that an inquiry into the incident will be initiated.

“Steps will be taken to provide compensation to the bereaved family members as per the provision. Illegal quarrying will be stopped and order will be given to construct barricades around the existing quarries,” said Sarin.